“I’ve been a fan of ‘Frasier’ since day one and I’m thrilled the series will remain a core part of our schedule for the next three seasons,” NBC entertainment exec Jeff Zucker said in a statement.

But it didn’t always appear that way – especially when it looked as if the Emmy-winning “Frasier,” which debuted on NBC in 1993, might jump to CBS after a protracted contract struggle between NBC and Paramount.

NBC fought hard to keep the show, which has flourished in its move to Tuesdays this season after anchoring NBC’s “Must-See TV” Thursday-night lineup for many years.

In fact, last October’s season premiere of “Frasier” still ranks as this season’s top-rated sitcom episode.

Grammer is one of the few TV stars to successfully move the same character to a different show, in this case Dr. Frasier Crane, who Grammer originated on “Cheers.”

In “Frasier,” Grammer moved Crane to Seattle, where he became a successful radio shrink who lives with his disabled dad (John Mahoney) and physical therapist Daphne Moon (Jane Leeves).